Tag Archives: beauty

Apr30

April 2020 Finishes Pt. 2

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April 2020 Finishes Pt. 2

Hello! The month of April brought me so many empties that I had to break our normally scheduled discussion into two posts. Ah yes, the stay at home order has been making me go through my products like water. So much so that I had to have a major online order with Amazon to restock, so be on the look out for that later! Now, let’s wrap up April’s finishes with the rest of my reviews:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works Cactus Blossom shower gel: NO
  • SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer: YES
  • Provence Beauty Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid serum: NO
  • SkinLab Lift & Firm serum: MAYBE
  • SkinLab Lift & Firm eye cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Shower Gel: I received some mini B&BW products as part of a Christmas gift and I wasn’t a huge fan of the Cactus Blossom fragrance. I am not a floral scent gal in the slightest and much prefer tangy, fruity fragrances and the Cactus Blossom was just a bit too overpowering for me. I will say that I love the convenience of the B&BW travel sizes and I got at least seven full body uses from one little bottle.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I love the SkinLab products and I am sure that you all have seen this brand show up on my posts many times. At twenty-five, I figured it was time to start using skin care with more firming and lifting power and I definitely got in in the SkinLab Lift & Firm line. I have seen a noticeable difference in my skin from using it regularly for the past several months and I can’t wait to get more from Amazon soon. It took me one month to finish one jar.

Provence Beauty Serum: I purchased this serum the last fateful time that I went to TJMaxx and I was less than impressed. First of all, the dripper or whatever you call it was broken so it already wasn’t off to a good start. And, the formula of the serum was just too thin to feel effective. It was a tad thicker than the consistency of water and I like something that feels more substantial when it comes to my skin care. It took me one month to finish one bottle.

SkinLab Serum: Speaking of consistency, I like the SkinLab Lift & Firm serum but it was too thick! Where is my Goldilocks serum that is just right?! I typically finished a bottle of the SkinLab Lift & Firm serum in under a month and that didn’t seem like the best value to me. Therefore, I began playing around with brands like Provence Beauty (But was still disappointed!). I probably wouldn’t use this serum again but I am looking forward to getting more Azure Lux serums from Amazon soon!

SkinLab Eye Cream: Despite not being a huge fan of the Lift & Firm serum by SkinLab, I love the eye cream from the same line. A little bit goes a long way and it takes me at least three months to finish one tiny jar. The sensitive skin around my eyes feels much stronger and any fine lines that were starting to crop up definitely got put in their place. I also can’t get enough of the gel like consistency – love that!

Although I had a few duds during April, all in all it was a very successful month for empties. And, as Ohio continues to follow a stay at home order, I’m sure May will be just as full of finishes too!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the products above if you have used them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

April 2020 Finishes Pt. 1

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April 2020 Finishes Pt. 1

Hello! Being inside for a majority of the day minus going to work means that I have had ample time to use up a lot of the items in my bath and body and skin care stock pile. I have been taking plenty of bubble baths and am generally not wearing makeup during the day, so I now perform a skin care routine at night making my products go by even quicker.

So quick, in fact, that I had to break my April 2020 Finishes up into two parts because, yeah, there were that many empties. Tune in tomorrow for the next batch of finishes and let’s get started with Part One:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works Pink Prosecco lotion: YES
  • Bath & Body Works hand soap: YES
  • Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: YES
  • Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple shower gel: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: During Bath & Body Work’s last major sale this past winter, I stocked up on all of my favorite shower gels, hand soaps, and lotion. I got each product for a fraction of the cost and it was definitely easy to just keep throwing stuff into my little basket, lol. During my haul, I purchased a few tubes of the Pink Prosecco lotion and I love it. The smell is just divine, like fresh and sweet sparkling pink champagne – my favorite! It also leaves my skin so insanely soft and smooth it’s unreal. I got three full body uses from one tube of lotion.

B&BW Hand Soap: The hand soaps from B&BW have become a staple in my apartment ever since my first shopping trip for supplies last year before I moved in. The foaming formula means a little bit goes a long way and I have a bottle faithfully posted up by my bathroom and kitchen sink. While we are all, hopefully, washing our hands more often during the coronavirus panic, this is the soap for you. It leaves my hands feeling so clean without drying them out and the Peach Bellini is my absolute favorite scent. Margarita Time isn’t half bad, either! 😉

Garnier Micellar Water: As usual, a skin care staple in Lil Red’s world. It took me at least three months to finish the bigger bottle.

B&BW Shower Gel: Anything apple scented is my favorite, so during my B&BW haul it was necessary to get all of the Winter Candy Apple shower gels! It takes me over one month to finish one bottle because it lathers like no other. Every morning, my showers are filled with luxurious sweet/tart apple bubbles and it doesn’t get much better than that!

Part One of my April 2020 Finishes focused on all things bath and body care so be sure to stop by tomorrow while we discuss the skin care portion! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? How about your favorite old school B&BW scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Pampering Yourself At Home

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Pampering Yourself At Home

Hello! I, like many of you, am absolutely itching to get back to all of my normal pampering routines once the coronavirus dies down. Heck, I’m absolutely itching to get back to ALL of my normal routines! But, the pampering aspect holds a special place in my heart because it’s something I value and enjoy a lot. If you are ready to get your beauty on in self-isolation, start with the following tips:

Do Your Makeup:

I know it’s easy to blow off doing your morning makeup routine if you’re at home right now but I promise it makes a huge difference. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many a makeup free day and it feels great. However, it feels even better to do your makeup after a long stint of makeup free days, lol.

Whenever I am feeling a bit down, I wake up early and do my makeup before work and I always have sky high confidence the whole day. Doing your makeup gives a nod to the normalcy of a “regular” day at work and did I mention all of the quarantine selfies you can take after? Bonus!

Do Your Nails:

Of course I just had to get a DIY acrylic kit because I literally can’t live without my claws. This is a great option for those who are going crazy without their scheduled trips to the salon! If you’re not too bent out of shape about your acrylics, set up a manicure bar at home for something more low key. Soak your nails, shape and file them, and pick a perfect spring color to paint them. (This is also a great idea for a little mommy and me time, too!)

Do Your Hair:

Right now I am doing nothing to my hair because I plan on changing it up post quarantine. But, if this is not the case for you, then do keep up with your hair maintenance if you dye it. This suggestion is not a suggestion to cut your hair on your own because we all know that it can lead to catastrophe!

Rather, this is a suggestion to take some time to yourself in the evening for a long shower and maybe a deep conditioning treatment. To really bring the beauty salon to you, have someone in your house wash your hair for the ultimate pampering.

And Remember:

Many of your favorite salons are offering gift cards right now and that is a wonderful way to support them during this crazy time. I plan on buying gift cards to all of my stomping grounds so that as soon as this passes, I will be the first one in the salon chair! 😀

How do you pamper yourself at home? What helps you relax during this stressful time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr16

Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Things I’m Looking Forward To

Hello! Sometimes the best way to keep yourself sane during these difficult times is to just plan ahead and think of all of the exciting stuff you’d like to do once stay at home orders have been lifted. Believe you me, I have quite a few locations on my list as soon as I can safely go but with safely being the key word! When I am feeling down and out about the current situation, I just think about spending time at the following:

TJMaxx:

Lol, obviously TJMaxx is going to be number one on my list! Had I known that the last time I went shopping at TJs was the literal last time, I would have gone much harder. So, now, I look forward to a future massive haul filled with warm weather clothing, skin care, accessories and whatever else my heart desires. Hell, I earned it after months on end of being in lock down!

Elysian Nails:

When I first realized I wasn’t going to be able to go for my monthly fill at Elysian Nails, I was really upset. I know this sounds petty but that is the one thing I look forward to every month like clockwork. To me, there is nothing better than that hour or so of pampering and I always leave the salon feeling so good about myself.

I couldn’t imagine being without my acrylics so, until those salon doors open up, I bought myself an at home acrylic kit so I can attempt to DIY them. There will be more to come on that later when the kit arrives in the mail – we’ll see what happens. 😀

The Shear Shop:

I have to tell you all, I do feel quite lucky because a few days before the stay at home order was issued in Ohio, I got my hair cut and my nails done. But, Lil Red is going to be making a drastic change to her locks once this order has been lifted and I am absolutely itching to get into the salon chair. Look out for a brand new me!

Going On A Date:

Of course I love hanging out with my boyfriend at home and our impromptu date nights but I cannot wait to go on an actual night on the town with Johnny. Drinks on the patio at a bar, a dinner out – the works. I don’t care where we go and it doesn’t have to be expensive, just being in an actual restaurant and having a drink and dinner made for me is more than enough. And getting dressed up will be the cherry on top!

The Skating Rink:

It has been well over a month since I was last able to go for a lesson with my coach at the skating rink and I miss it dreadfully. Ice skating is not only my favorite form of exercise but it’s a creative outlet for me and it’s hard not to be out on the ice once a week. I’m thankful the weather in Ohio is clearing up so I can go for walks but nothing is better than a brisk skate on the ice.

Above are just a few of the things I’m looking forward to doing once it’s safe to do so and just thinking about it makes me feel a little better. What are you looking forward to? Where is the first place you’re going to go? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

Bath Bomb Blitz: Dove Milk Swirls Vanilla Raspberry Creamsicle Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Dove Milk Swirls Vanilla Raspberry Creamsicle Edition

Hello! This past week, my mom gifted me with a marked down bath bomb by Dove that she got while grocery shopping. I like Dove products well enough and the Vanilla Raspberry Creamsicle scent definitely had me invested so I was looking forward to trying it. Unfortunately, I can totally see why this product was marked down after using it and it instantly fell under the “wouldn’t use again” category. Let’s discuss:

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When I think of a bath bomb that promises a “bath milk” style feature, I always think of the water looking rich and creamy – kind of like half and half, lol. I figured the raspberry hue and fragrance would offer me a really lush bath filled with delicious, light pink, moisturizing water. Instead, I was offered scuzzy lavender pond water with no change in how it felt or smelled at all.

As soon as I put the bath bomb in the water, it began to fizz and I felt hopeful that it would work how I wanted it to. Especially because it initially fizzed very quickly and the water around it was changing. Unfortunately, about halfway through placing the bath bomb in the tub, it stopped working completely and I just broke the rest apart with my hands.

The sudden halt in the bath bomb working left for murky water and a less than impressive experience. But, I should have known that it wasn’t going to be that great from the beginning. Upon taking the bath bomb out of its plastic wrap, I literally couldn’t smell the Vanilla Raspberry Creamsicle scent that I was so excited for at all. Normally, this is a tell tale sign that the bath bomb is going to be A DUD… And it was. Whomp whomp.

What is your favorite bath bomb? Which bath bomb would you not use again? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar29

L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Swatch In Deep Burgundy

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L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Swatch In Deep Burgundy

Hello! As you saw yesterday, the L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Cobalt Blue was a bust. And, unfortunately, the mascara sucked in Deep Burgundy, too. Whomp whomp. I can’t say that I was surprised when I gave it a shot and it wasn’t that great but it’s always disappointing to buy a product, test it out, and have it be an epic failure. But, hey, it happens and now you know what not to buy! Let’s get to it:

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Despite not being crazy about the mascara formula, at least the Cobalt Blue shade offered some hint of the color – albeit not much! And that is my main bugaboo about the Deep Burgundy hue. I was expecting something more shocking and ended up with brown lashes. I was hoping to see the deep red more clearly and it did not translate that way at all. It applied brown, it dried brown, and even in natural lighting it didn’t show any of the shade that I thought I bought.

And, of course, it must be said again that the formula for this mascara is far from impressive. My lashes looked stumpy while wearing this product and I can’t deal with that. Lol, the mascara clumped and it stumped and it just wasn’t a good look all around. This begs the question of “what’s the point” because this mascara did the polar opposite of what it should do. No volume, no length, and not even a fun color to appease me. Huge disappointment and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy… Well, maybe. 😉

Which product have you been disappointed with recently? Which product have you been obsessed with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar28

L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara Swatch In Cobalt Blue

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L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara Swatch In Cobalt Blue

Hi! My skating coach has been rocking burgundy mascara during my last few skates and I am obsessed. I love the pop of color in an unexpected place and was eager to find some of my own the next time I went makeup shopping. I wasn’t expecting to find any funky colors of mascara at the grocery store I was at but I was pleasantly surprised to see a cobalt blue and burgundy shade by L’Oreal and bought them both.

Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at the cobalt blue hue and be sure to tune in tomorrow to talk about the burgundy! Let’s get to it:

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I was really looking forward to trying the cobalt blue mascara because I thought that it would give me a more obvious color pop than the burgundy. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed with the results. The color was just not saturated enough for a noticeable effect and I could really only tell that the mascara was blue when I was in natural lighting.

Aside from the pigment of this mascara not being shocking enough, I am not too thrilled with the mascara in itself, either. I am so used to my big, bold, fanned out lashes from religious use of Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced so anything less than over exaggerated lashes are going to be a no from me, dawg. And, because the cobalt pigment is so dull you can’t even layer it over top of a base coat because it will literally do nothing… Believe me, I tried.

I can’t say that I would recommend this mascara and I plan on trying something a bit more high end when self-isolation is lifted and I can actually go play in Sephora. Maybe the burgundy hue will be a bit better? Find out tomorrow!

What is the best colored mascara? How do you add funky color to your makeup looks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

Covergirl Katy Kat Eyeliner Swatch In Kitty Katdabra

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Covergirl Katy Kat Eyeliner Swatch In Kitty Katdabra

Hi! This past week, I stocked up on some fresh food at the grocery store and couldn’t resist looking at the makeup selection. I haven’t been shopping in store or online in so long and I honestly feel like I’m going through withdrawal. So, I just had to treat myself to some funky colored mascara and a glittery eyeliner from the Covergirl Katy Kat collection in Kitty Katdabra. Check it out:

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I have been running low on my Black Onyx Covergirl liner and, sadly, the store I was at didn’t have the kind I liked. I was a bit disappointed because you can’t go wrong with a solid black liner but I figured that one with a little glitter wouldn’t hurt. And, normally, Lil Red never says no to a little bling!

I was looking forward to giving this new liner a try because it looked really cute. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t apply as harshly as I would like. I was hoping for something deeper with a sprinkling of midnight stars but the base color applied in an almost grey fashion and I don’t love it. I plan on using this color simply because I have it now and I’m not going to return it but I won’t be buying it again in the future.

How do you add some sparkle to your makeup looks? What is your go to brand of eyeliner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar26

March 2020 Finishes

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March 2020 Finishes

Salutations! So, for a lack of a better word, March has been crazy. Not so much in terms of having done anything exciting. In fact, quite the opposite as the coronavirus panic spread and self-isolation was recommended. With all of the extra time at my apartment, I definitely found that I went through many of my beauty products quicker. Especially considering that I wasn’t wearing makeup when I was just at home and would apply skin care as a night time routine. HENCE, we have a lot of empties to go over:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Hand Soap: I absolutely live for the foaming hand soaps from Bath & Body Works. They all smell friggen amazing, the formula doesn’t dry out my hands, and you can’t beat the value for the price as B&BW normally runs a special on them. The Watermelon Lemonade scent was the perfect combination of summery sweet and tart and it just felt good to use. One pump of this soap goes such a long way and it took me about two months to finish one bottle.

B&BW Shower Gel: With all of this coronavirus panic buying, I am grateful to have my bath and body care hoard fully stocked from a recent B&BW haul. Their shower gels are my fave and I love anything apple scented so the Champagne Apple & Honey scent was a must. The B&BW gels are fun because of how much they lather and the crisp scent of a freshly bitten apple with sparkling champagne doesn’t hurt, either. It took me one month to finish one bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: Lol, of course a bottle of micellar water was bound to show up eventually! I always try to purchase the bigger sized bottles if I can find them and the value is just insane. One normal sized bottle would last me about a month while the next size up lasts me three. And, for three to four bucks more, it doesn’t get much better than that!

IGK Hair Balm: I turned into an avid lover of the IGK Mistress hair balm after receiving it in one of Sephora’s Play boxes. I use it every time I straighten my hair, as it is a heat protector, and it leaves my hair perfectly sleek and frizz free with each styling. It also adds such a lustrous shine to my hair that definitely didn’t exist before I started using this product. It takes me at least five to six months to finish one bottle.

TBS Pore Minimizer: The Tea Tree Pore Minimizer by The Body Shop is one of my favorite skin care products and it is such a treat when it pops up at TJMaxx. I always end up buying the lot because I love the matte finish and how it helps shrink up some of my larger pores. If it was possible, I would use this product in my daily routine for forever! It takes me about a month and a half to finish one tube.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I love the Lift & Firm moisturizer by SkinLab and I have noticed a huge change in my skin since using it. Especially since I’ve been applying it more frequently compliments of my fresh face a la quarantine. My complexion looks a lot more radiant and hydrated and I can feel an obvious difference in the tightness of my skin. It takes me one month to finish one jar.

March was an excellent month for finishes and I highly recommend each product on my list of empties. Here’s to hoping that there’s not so many in April so I don’t have to write as much! 😉 😀

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the products above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar25

3 Ways Editorial Makeup Is Different From Daily Wear

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3 Ways Editorial Makeup Is Different From Daily Wear

When you have a shoot for a magazine, newspaper, or another form of press, you want to look your best. If you’re on a solo shoot, you want to be the star of the show. On the other hand, for a group shoot, you want to coordinate with others but still stand out. Whether you do your makeup or hire help for editorial makeup Chicago Il or elsewhere, you should understand how it differs from your daily routine:

1. The Focus:

Makeup for an editorial shoot should highlight your best features. Whether you have amazing cheekbones or luscious lips, you want to show that off. An editorial makeup artist will know how to highlight those parts of your face while still showing you. There’s no need to use layers of foundation when you already have glowing skin. By focusing on what you have, you will still look natural and put together for your shoot.

2. The Purpose:

Editorial makeup doesn’t always follow the same trends you see online. It sticks to the same few steps that it has used for years because it has a specific purpose. Be it a magazine or another form of press, an editorial shoot usually has one goal: to get you noticed. Odds are, your daily makeup routine is relatively basic. You probably follow the same steps, but for an editorial look, don’t be afraid to do things a little differently.

3. The Artist:

Most people can’t afford a makeup artist for their daily look, so you probably do your makeup yourself. However, for an editorial shoot, you should consider a professional makeup artist. An editorial makeup artist will know what techniques to use to enhance your natural beauty while making you stand out for the shoot. Unless you have a lot of editorial experience, consider hiring someone to help you create the perfect look.

To some people, it might seem that there are few differences between editorial makeup and daily makeup. But the two styles have important distinctions that everyone should understand.